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Crystal Palace are interested in Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien, according to the print edition of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner (via Football League World).

The lowdown

Palace and manager Patrick Vieira appear to be in the market for a new midfield player during the summer transfer window.

Conor Gallagher is returning to Chelsea after starting 33 of the Eagles’ 38 Premier League matches last season, and the future of out-of-contract option Cheikhou Kouyate has yet to be resolved.

Palace are reportedly working on a deal for Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure, while they’re also said to be seriously considering a swoop for Rangers’ Joe Aribo.

O’Brien, 23, is predominantly a central midfielder but he can also play in a more withdrawn role.

Last season, he started 46 out of 49 Championship matches for the Terriers, playing the full 90 minutes as they lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the play-off final.

The latest

Palace are one of three Premier League sides keen on O’Brien, along with West Ham United and Southampton, says the report.

All suitors have the option to trigger the £12million release clause in the player’s contract, at which point it would be down to him to pick his preferred move.

The verdict

O’Brien would be a solid, reasonably-priced addition for Palace.

He has a well-rounded skill-set, directly contributing to six goals (three goals, three assists), and averaging one key pass, 2.1 dribbles and 2.1 tackles per game (via WhoScored).

These numbers stack up well against Gallagher (1.1 key passes, 1.3 dribbles, two tackles), though he would perhaps have to score more goals if he was to adequately fill the void, with the Chelsea man bagging eight over the course of the season.

O’Brien was, of course, playing in a lower division, but he showed top-flight class in the second tier. Indeed, journalist Mark Douglas believes the ‘terrific’ midfielder is ‘destined’ to play at the highest level.

And manager Carlos Corberan has heaped praise on one of his star players, dubbing him ‘special’ and ‘exceptional’.

In other news, read the latest update on a key Palace target.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig sensation Christopher Nkunku recently and the Frenchman could be a superb addition to Erik ten Hag’s side this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, United, Chelsea and PSG have all been put on red alert with the forward admitting that he was flattered by the interest being shown in him by some of Europe’s top clubs in a recent interview with ‘Telefoot’.

The £58.5m-rated star enjoyed a phenomenal season with the Bundesliga outfit, contributing a remarkable 35 goals and 20 assists in all competitions for Domenico Tedesco’s side.

A huge statement?

After a shocking season which saw United finish 6th in the Premier League, barely securing qualification for the Europa League, it would be a huge statement by the board to bring in one of Europe’s hottest properties in Nkunku.

The Red Devils managed just 57 goals in the top-flight last season. Nkunku contributed to 33 of his own in the Bundesliga, earning a fantastic 7.64 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This was enough to rank him as the second-best performer in Germany’s elite division, behind only Robert Lewandowski, which emphasises just how big a signing it would be if United could convince him to swap Leipzig for Manchester.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch was full of praise for the 24-year-old during his time at Leipzig, saying:

“Christopher has no weaknesses. He is young and still wants a lot more.

“It’s always a good thing when a young player listens to the things we say and also wants to implement them.

“Working with him is a lot of fun as he is really intelligent and has a lot of potential.”

Although Jadon Sancho is yet to set the world alight at United after excelling in the Bundesliga, contributing just five goals and five assists last season, it would still be a huge statement if the Glazers could get a deal done.

If United could attract Nkunku to Old Trafford ahead of Champions League clubs such as PSG and Chelsea, then it would surely cement the fact that they remain one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, despite a lack of success in recent years.

And, in other news… Romano drops huge behind-the-scenes Man United claim

Sunderland finally ended their spell in the third tier of English football with a 2-0 win over Wycombe at Wembley in the League One play-off final last month.

Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart sent the red and white half of the stadium into raptures with their goals and the Black Cats will now be returning to the Championship for the first time since 2017/18.

Alex Neil took over from Lee Johnson earlier this year and hit the ground running in the dugout as he secured a play-off spot and then masterminded wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe to get Sunderland back into the second tier.

Whilst Embleton and Stewart scored the goals in the play-off final, attacking midfielder Alex Pritchard was the star of the show as he put in a sublime performance in the number 10 role.

As per SofaScore, he completed two of his three attempted dribbles and created four chances as he set up both of the goals at Wembley. He was the glue in the attack as he pieced together moves and developed the play by making himself available for the ball before playing a killer pass to create an opportunity for a team-mate.

Pritchard played a major role in securing promotion for the club, and his displays for the Black Cats throughout the campaign show that Kristjaan Speakman landed a blinding deal by signing him for nothing from Huddersfield last summer.

Journalist Ash Bahrami recently dubbed the signing a “coup” for the Black Cats, and the 29-year-old’s statistics over the course of the season back that up. In League One, the ex-Spurs maestro was superb as he made himself a constant threat in the final third for Johnson and then Neil…

These statistics show that Pritchard made a big contribution in the final third as he consistently put chances on a plate for his team-mates to score – two of which won them promotion to the Championship.

Former Black Cats boss Johnson once lauded the 29-year-old’s ability to play key passes, saying: “Pritch is going to be important for us and I think you see that as well.

“We are still building him up. He’s 95 percent fit and I think he has that quality to unlock doors at this level that most people haven’t.”

Pritchard showcased his quality to open up defences all season and his exceptional performances prove that Speakman landed a coup in bringing him in on a free transfer.

Hopefully the Sunderland chief can secure similar deals to bolster the squad this summer with a view to attacking the Championship.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon drops four-word Sunderland transfer claim that’ll leave supporters gutted…

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has urged the Hoops to complete the permanent capture of Portuguese forward Jota. 

The lowdown: Superb addition

The 23-year-old has been a revelation since arriving at Celtic Park on loan from Primeira Liga outfit Benfica for the duration of the 2021/22 campaign.

Jota provided 27 direct goal contributions in 40 appearances for the Hoops, netting seven goals in the Scottish Premiership en route to Ange Postecoglou’s side lifting the title.

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Following a report claiming that the club are now nearing the completion of a permanent move believed to be upwards of £6million (Sky Sports), one interested onlooker has had his say on the forward’s impact.

The latest: ‘One hell of a talent’

Speaking to Football Insider about that update from Sky, McAvennie hailed the 18-cap Portugal Under 21 star and the role he could play next term in Glasgow should the deal be completed in a timely fashion.

The 62-year-old said: “I’ve seen Jota more than most and sometimes he wasn’t up to scratch. When the team is flowing, he was the catalyst, different class. The fans still love him, everyone wants a picture.

“He is one hell of a talent and if he joins now, which I hope he does, he will be super fit next season. That’s what Ange is all about. He will have those guys ready to give everything for 90 minutes and be fine afterwards.

“He didn’t have the pre-season to do that last year. A lot of players arrived late. So let’s get the Jota deal done and give him a full pre-season. I think that will allow him to go on and do phenomenal things with Celtic. To hear he is close to joining is great but let’s have it all confirmed.”

The verdict: Spot on

Boasting an outstanding 7.56 Sofascore rating comprising of 2.6 shots per game, 1.7 successful dribbles and 4.4 duels won on average per game, capturing the versatile ace on a permanent basis would be a superb coup for the Bhoys.

Currently holding a rising market value of £4.95million (Transfermarkt), the mooted option to buy clause would be a bargain with plenty of room for development and the potential to generate a major profit for the Hoops’ hierarchy in the future.

Coupled with the ongoing deal to bring fellow loan star Cameron Carter-Vickers to Paradise from Tottenham, Postecoglou will have made the perfect start to the summer transfer window.

In other news, Celtic have been linked with another midfield signing. Find out who it is here.

With Liverpool admirably battling back from an at one stage 14 point deficit to take the 2021/22 Premier League title race right down to the wire with Manchester City, it needed the final ten minutes of action to finally separate Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s sides, with the latter eventually winning out as they fought back from two goals behind in the game against Aston Villa to secure this years title by a single point.

For Liverpool, this is not the time to dwell on the obvious disappointment the team, and the fans will feel, from running the expensively assembled City squad right to the end of the campaign and then missing out by a single goal, as their full focus needs to be on their preparation for this coming Saturday’s Champions League Final against Real Madrid at the Stade de France.

With former England winger Steve McManaman knowing both clubs well from his time with each of them, he has conducted a couple of good interviews with Betway this week, explaining his memory of the competition and his own experiences in major show piece finals.

The media have certainly latched to the history between both sides here, with Liverpool losing out four years ago against the same opponents, but Liverpool also have a history with new manager Carlo Ancelotti given their clashes against AC Milan and Roma in previous years.

Both Egyptian wizard Mohamed Salah and Ancelotti himself have acknowledged that there might be a bit of needle between the sides given the history.  Salah said ahead of Madrid’s semi final clash:

“I want to play Madrid, I have to be honest. City are a really tough team, we played against them a few times this season. I think personally, I would prefer Madrid. We lost in the final to them so I want to play against them and hopefully win it.”

Adding after Real were confirmed as Final opponents:

“We have a score to settle.”

When asked about his words, Ancelotti answered.

“We have met many times. Losing with them was a tragedy with Roma in 1984 and 2005. Then the revenge, which Salah says, in 2007. I respect him a lot. One of the best experiences of my career is seeing the push Bernabeu or Anfield. In addition to the beautiful experience of being rivals with Everton. I like their history, that of Paisley, they have six Champions Leagues, only one less than Milan…that’s an extra motivation too. My Milanist friends tell me don’t let them reach seven.”

With mind games afoot, Klopp took a different approach when he met with press on Wednesday afternoon, rubbishing suggestions that revenge for 2018 would be a driver for his side.

“This was a harsh night for us – it was tough to take. But I don’t believe in revenge or think revenge is a fantastic idea. I understand what Mo said – he wants to put it right. But in Germany we say you always meet twice in life. If we get the chance to win it this time it will be a great story, but it will not be because of what happened in 2018.”

Whatever now happens, the stage is set for the Final to be quite the spectacle with the calibre of players that will be on show, and each side has players that are more than capable of winning it – so the neutrals should be in for a fantastic affair.

Photo by Unsplash

Everton are reportedly now set to lose Joao Virginia on a permanent deal in the summer.

The Lowdown: Sporting loan

Virginia was shipped out on loan to Sporting CP this season, but has only managed to play in eight games in total over all competitions.

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He is set to return from his loan spell after the campaign ends, with it not yet being clear whether the Goodison Park faithful are to play Premier League football.

The Latest: Under the radar departure?

As per Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness), in a ‘surprising’ story due to his lack of playing time while on loan, Sporting will reportedly now ‘trigger’ the buy option for Virginia, which would set them back €5m (£4.2m).

Other outlets are ‘still quiet about it’, but it looks as if the six-foot-three colossus could now be on his way out of Merseyside permanently.

The Verdict: Sell

Once dubbed ‘unbelievable’ by David Unsworth, Virginia had previously shown promise for the U23s, where he managed to keep a clean sheet every two games (Transfermarkt).

However, he has rarely featured for the senior team, and with England number one Jordan Pickford still in net, one has to question whether he would ever be able to establish himself as number one at the Toffees.

Frank Lampard’s side have also reportedly extended back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s deal, which suggests that they are willing to move Virginia on this summer.

In other news, find out what early Blues Team News has Sam Carroll ‘gutted’ here!

It is no secret that West Ham United have a dismal track record when it comes to making centre-forward additions in recent years, with the GSB era having been littered with bizarre and at times costly transfer mistakes.

Among a lengthy list which includes the likes of Mido, Lucas Perez and Jordan Hugill, to name just a few, is Ecuador striker Enner Valencia, the diminutive speedster having failed to truly make his mark in English football.

Signed for £12m in the summer of 2014 after hitting 18 goals in just 24 games for Mexican outfit Pachuca, the 5 foot 9 marksman was expected to hit the ground running at Upton Park, particularly having netted three times during a standout World Cup campaign in Brazil.

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Although his arrival seemed something of a coup at the time, it quickly became apparent that the club – and then-manager Sam Allardyce – had fallen for the age-old trap of signing a player off the back of some impressive yet fleeting displays at a major tournament.

A stunning goal on his full league debut against Hull City looked like it would be the start of a bright spell in the Premier League for the versatile forward, but that early-season effort would be just one of four league goals that he scored in his first campaign in east London.

The former Emelec man would go on to score just four more league goals in 2015/16. albeit having spent much of the season on the treatment table due to injury, before being shipped out on loan to Everton in August 2016.

However, despite being labelled “strong” by then-Everton manager Ronald Koeman, he fared little better on Merseyside. He was waiting until January 2017 to score his £14.5m.

During that stint on loan, Valencia also sparked controversy for appearing to fake an injury during a match for his country, leaving the field in an ambulance in order to escape the clutches of the police, who were pursuing him for failing to pay child maintenance bills.

Unsurprisingly, following his return to east London at the end of the 2016/17 season, the 70-cap Ecuador international was subsequently sold on to Tigres in a deal worth between £6m and £7m, with the Irons taking a loss on their initial investment.

In the end, the Hammers would likely have just been wishing to get the £40k-per-week dud off their books as quickly as possible, having cost them £1.5m per league goal in relation to his transfer fee.

After three seasons back in Mexico – where he scored 34 goals in 118 appearances in all competitions – the £2.61m-rated man was signed by Turkish club Fenerbache on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, with the 32-year-old netting 24 goals in 67 appearances since then.

A reliable goalscorer elsewhere, it simply didn’t work out for him in England, with West Ham left to look back on what was simply an expensive mistake.

In other news, West Ham eyeing swoop for “aggressive” £45m-rated warrior, just imagine him and Rice

Everton are in desperate need for big changes this summer and if they stay up in the Premier League at the end of the season it will only better their opportunities to strengthen the team to avoid another relegation battle in the future.

There are many areas of the pitch that will need Farhad Moshiri and Frank Lampard’s attention when the season draws to a close with changes specifically needed to improve the defensive play of the team, with the side conceding 19 more goals than they have scored in the current Premier League campaign.

With that being said, it may be time for Lampard to finally axe Seamus Coleman and start considering his options to replace the 33-year-old Everton captain who will be out of contract in June 2023, Finding the £68k-per-week defender’s successor could make a huge difference and relieve some pressure.

One player who could be the perfect replacement for the Irish defender who was labelled “poor” by journalist Josh Bunting, is Norwich City’s Max Aarons, who was linked with the club back in the January transfer window. Now he has been relegated once again Lampard could capitalise on the opportunity to snap up the youngster.

The 22-year-old was praised earlier this season by former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, saying:

“He has got huge potential. He has got big, big potential.

“Lots of games, a lot of experience for someone so young, and he is just going to keep on improving.”

It is no wonder the young player has been attracting recognition when you consider his defensive statistics this season in the Premier League in a team that has struggled throughout. Aarons has put in impressive performances and shown his hard-working attitude despite the position the Canaries have found themselves in.

According to SofaScore, the English right-back has won the majority of his aerial and ground duels combined, making 2.1 clearances, 1.9 tackles and 0.8 interceptions on average per game accompanied by two big chances created and one assist in his 32 league appearances this season.

Ultimately, with the chances of Everton staying in the top-flight for another season they cannot afford to make the same mistakes and must make ruthless decisions to benefit the team going into the next season and signing up Aarons this summer could be a great start for the Toffees much needed rebuild.

AND in other news: Shocking Everton dud who lost ball every 4.7 touches cost Lampard big time yesterday

Injury expert Ben Dinnery has ruled Leeds United captain Liam Cooper out of this weekend’s meeting with Arsenal.

The Lowdown: Cooper’s late withdrawal

Cooper made a long-awaited return to action last month and helped the Whites concede just once in three games, with Jesse Marsch’s side picking up five points against Southampton, Watford and Crystal Palace.

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The 30-year-old was due to start against Manchester City last weekend but pulled out during the warm-up with a knee problem that required a scan.

Midfielder Mateusz Klich replaced Cooper at Elland Road, and it looks as if the centre-back may well miss the trip to the Emirates on Sunday too.

The Latest: Dinnery’s claim

Dinnery, a sports injuries expert and analyst who contributes for Sky Sports, has six injury concerns for Leeds on his Premier Injuries website.

One of those is Cooper, whose current status is listed ‘ruled out’ with a knee problem – the site doesn’t even name a hopeful return date.

Meanwhile, according to Dinnery, striker Patrick Bamford has a May 15 return date following his foot problem.

The Verdict: Wait and see…

Marsch will more than likely provide an injury update to start his pre-match press conference at Thorp Arch later today, with Cooper’s condition obviously a concern.

He helped the Whites stop the rot at the back following his return from a hamstring injury and has been the club’s best-rated defender this season, as per WhoScored.

Therefore, it would be a boost for Marsch and Leeds if Cooper were able to travel to London, so fingers crossed Marsch shares different news to Dinnery.

In other news: Leeds officials sent abroad as Radz plots move for 56-goal attacker. 

The race for the top four in the Premier League is heating up heading into the final few matches of the 2021/22 season but for Tottenham Hotspur, it doesn’t get trickier than this evening.

Antonio Conte’s side travel to Merseyside to face an in-form and title-chasing Liverpool team at Anfield, who too are in need of points to keep the pressure on Manchester City, who were knocked out of the Champions League in agonising fashion in midweek.

Last weekend, Spurs bolstered their claims for European football next season with a resounding 3-1 victory over a heavily-rotated Leicester City side; their fifth win in seven.

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Just like Brendan Rodgers, the Italian head coach also tinkered with his lineup but only slightly, with Lucas Moura coming in for Dejan Kulusevski in the attack.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Brazilian winger was withdrawn for the Sweden international with the Lilywhites only holding a 1-0 lead, and Kulusevski quickly made his presence known by providing two assists for Heung-min Son to net a brace.

Moura has struggled for form and has lost his place in the starting XI to Kulusevski, so that change is ought to be one that Conte makes for this encounter.

Across 31 league appearances, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace has delivered only two goals and five assists – by comparison, the Juventus loanee has already usurped that with three goals and eight assists in only 14 games, via WhoScored.

Valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, the 29-year-old winger has previously been described as a “nightmare” to train against by team-mate Eric Dier, but we’ve seen anything but that from Moura in 2022, with his last league goal coming back in December.

Moura has also provided two assists since Boxing Day, despite only failing to make two appearances in that time.

Furthermore, Kulusevski is clear for creating chances, even if they do not get converted into a goal – his average of 1.6 key passes per game eclipses Moura by 0.7.

Therefore, it should be a no-brainer for Conte to make the ruthless call to axe Moura from the starting XI up against Liverpool. If there’s any game where he’ll go missing, it’s certainly this one. He is just not good enough to start for Tottenham.

AND in other news, Conte could land his own Jorginho in Spurs swoop for “extraordinary” £45m-rated titan…